If you back the project now, you can switch your region before shipping to suit need for an EU specific unit.

(From questions page)

meetearl6 days old
"Backers can preorder during this campaign and opt to have their order switched to the their regional edition. The EU edition will be released after EC certification."

meetearl12 days old
"Users who wish to back Earl during our campaign can place a preorder through our site. At the end of our campaign we will be emailing backers to confirm which edition/color they would like to receive."

*) connectors - USB - the website isn't clear on this, but I may have found an answer in the questions section, but perhaps someone here (I'm look at you AlbertaCowboy :-) knows more:
Does Earl have an actual USB port, or, as it seems to be, merely a 3.5 TRS connector which doubles as USB port, requiring a propietary adapter?

*) Actual screen size - the dimensions of the device seem to be similar to the Kobo Wifi - but what about screen size?
I'm thinking of replacing my Kobo with Earl, but if the screen is smaller, it'd be a downgrade...

Just went fishing through the Q&A, as I hadn't wondered about the USB connection until you brought it up. This was the first official response from meetearl that I found:

(meetearl7 days old

Our 3.5mm jack doubles as our USB charging and data connection. We will offer adapters for users to connect with Earl over USB otg.)

As far as screen size, it shows up in the specs as 6" e-Ink screen. (See attached screenshot)

By the way, I'm not officially endorsing Earl by any stretch of the means. I just really liked the concept, and have been following the development closely. If I can answer any questions here with info that I've gleaned from the development Q&A, I'm happy to do so.

Our 3.5mm jack doubles as our USB charging and data connection. We will offer adapters for users to connect with Earl over USB otg.)

Yes, that's what I found too.
This is a serious issue for me - I have an intense dislike of nonstandard plugs (mainly because I rarely accept that they're necessary at all, but also because it means you always have to carry them around).

Quote:

As far as screen size, it shows up in the specs as 6" e-Ink screen. (See attached screenshot)

Hm. Still, I wonder - the borders look broader than with the kobo, and the outer dimensions are close.

Quote:

By the way, I'm not officially endorsing Earl by any stretch of the means. I just really liked the concept, and have been following the development closely.

Endorsed or not, you're a useful resource to ask :-) So thanks for that.

--

I'm still debating with myself if I want to buy one. My main problem is, I don't need half the stuff it offers - all I'd want is an eInk Android tablet.
(I really like the IP67 and solar panel, though.)

Perhaps I'll wait till production, and pay more but have more information.
As much as I like the idea of it, I dislike their website.

I'm still debating with myself if I want to buy one. My main problem is, I don't need half the stuff it offers - all I'd want is an eInk Android tablet.
(I really like the IP67 and solar panel, though.)

Perhaps I'll wait till production, and pay more but have more information.
As much as I like the idea of it, I dislike their website.

Normally, I have an intense aversion to being an "early adopter" on new tech, but I just couldn't help myself on this one. All of the features it offers are actually fairly useful to me. Plus I constantly fail my saving throws against "new & shiny".

Like I said in an earlier post, I'll do a fairly comprehensive review once I've got it in my hands. Might make it a little easier for those sittin' on the fence if they see an actual honest appraisal. Truth be told, I'm not a huge fan of the site myself.

I'm still toying with getting in on the pre-order, but I have my doubts about whether these guys can deliver. Their credentials, to the extent they're available, seem heavier on enthusiasm than experience, and even established companies experience production delays and post-release bugs.

Also, what I would actually use it for is an ereader. I like the idea of having the weather and position sensors and all those radios, not to mention Android apps and all in a rugged package, but my actual daily use for an e-Ink device is reading EPUBs. And obviously, there are cheaper, lighter-weight readers out there.

Still, it's tempting. I'm not averse to spending a little more to future-proof an investment, whether against changing technology or my own changing habits.

Just an update for those interested, EARL's new forum has gone live.
I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of the layout, although that might just be my own preference for the format used here at MobilRead.

i am more interested in the fact that since it's both e-ink and full android 4.1, that it is the only reader that will natively handle all documents/ebook formats available to all android devices. as an e-ink ereader, it's the only one that can natively handle amazon's proprietary azw format AND the standard ePub, PDF, etc. all ios/android tablets can do this so i would not expect any less. being that it's e-ink puts it over the top as a reader for me. everything else (gps, maps, etc.) is just gravy.